Jesus spoke (Matt. 12:22-30) of Satan and his kingdom:

[1]. Satan (Lucifer, Devil Beelzebub, Dragon)
[2]. Fallen angels (that are free)

(a). Demons and devils (Eph. 6:12)

[3]. Fallen angels (that are bound)

(a). In prison in Hell (II Peter 2:4,5; Jude 6,7)

[4]. Spirits in the Pit (Rev. 9:1,2,10; Luke 8:31)

(a). Temporary prison house, to be loosed in Tribulation.
(b). Apollyon (Abaddon - destroyer; Rev. 9:11; prince of the Pit, angel king of the bottomless pit, seems under God's control).

[5]. Demonized men

(a). Antichrist (II Thess. 2:9; Rev. 13:1-10; Rev. 19:20)
(b). False Prophet (Rev. 13:11-18; Rev. 19:20)

[6]. Unsaved men (John 8:44)

I. PROOF FROM SCRIPTURE:

Satan and demons do exist because, first of all, the Bible says so:

A. Old Testament (Deut. 32:17; Psa. 95:5; 106:35,37; I Cor. 10:20; Lev. 17:7; II Chron. 11:15; Isa. 13:21; 34:14)

B. New Testament

[1]. Existence (James 3:19; Rev. 9:20)
[2]. Abode (Luke 8:31; Rev. 9:11)
[3]. Nature (Luke 4:33; 6:18)
[4]. Activity (I Tim. 4:1; Rev. 16:14)
[5]. Doom (Matt. 25:41)
[6]. Expulsion from human bodies (Luke 9:42)
[7]. organized under Satan (Matt. 12:26; Eph. 6:12)

C. Christ

[1]. Commanded disciples to cast out demons (Matt. 10:1)
[2]. Cast them out himself (Matt. 15:22,28)
[3]. Rebuked them (Mark 5:8)
[4]. Had complete power over them (Matt. 12:29)
[5]. Viewed conquest over them as being over Satan (Luke 10:17,18)

 

II. PROOF FROM HUMAN NATURE:

The belief in evil spirits is universal. Why and where and how? It isn't a "chance occurrence", nor can it be intelligently passed off as the invention of superstition. The only acceptable conclusion is that this universal belief in Satan and demons is the revelation of God to the heart and soul of men.

III. PROOF FROM HUMAN EXPERIENCE:

The course of sin which some men and women are pursuing (the drunkard, criminal, harlot, dope addict, gambler, suicide, etc.) and the eagerness with which they rush into vice and licentiousness, knowing full well the awful consequences to body, mind and soul, are the strongest possible evidence (outside the Bible) that there are wicked and unclean spiritual agencies that tempt, get control, and relentlessly drive their victims on over the brink of destruction.

Luke 22:3 - "Satan entered into Judas" - The burden of proof rests upon the skeptics that invisible personalities (demons) do not exist and have a share in almost every crime that men commit.

In the case where the human will is overwhelmed by the irresistible power as in the case of alcoholic, the libertine, and suicide - who can say the it is not due to demon influence or possession?

 

IV. DEMONS - WHO ARE THEY?

Many explanations are advanced for the belief in demons:

A. Demons are not superstitions about natural disease.

[1]. What disease cried out, "What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the Most High" (Mk. 5:7)?
[2]. What disease is meant in Luke 10:17,20?

B. Demons are not spirits of wicked men deceased.

[1]. Luke 16:19-31 teaches that the souls of the wicked dead are in hell.

C. Demons are not offspring of angels and pre-flood women.

[1]. The 'fallen angels' of Gen. 6:2 have been imprisoned (II Pet. 2:4,5; Jude 6,7) in Hell. It is not likely that God would permit their offspring to go free while imprisoning the offenders.

D. If Satan's angels and demons are not identical, then there is no other Scriptural explanation of the origin of demons.

 

V. OUTSTANDING ACTIVITIES OF SATAN IN THE OLD TESTAMENT:

A. The fall of man (Gen. 3)

B. Cain (Gen. 4) was..."of that wicked one." (I John 3:12)

C. The "sons of God" and the flood (Gen. 6:1-8; II Pet. 2:4; Jude 6)

D. Rebellion at Babel (Gen. 11:1-9)

E. Satan and Job's testing (Job 1,2)

F. Satan contends for the body of Moses (Jude 9)

G. Divination, necromancy, witchcraft (Deut. 18:10-12)

H. King Saul compelled by an evil spirit (I Sam. 18:8-14)

I. The witch of Endor (I Sam. 28:7,8)

J. Satan provokes David (I Chron. 21:1)

K. Jeroboam and devil worship (II Chron. 11:15)

L. Satanic. hindrance to Daniel's prayer (Dan. 10:13)

 

VI. CERTAIN ATTEMPTS BY SATAN TO DEFEAT CHRIST'S MINISTRY:

A. To destroy the human lineage of Christ (Gen. 3:15; 6:1-8)

B. The slaughter of innocents, the flight to Egypt (Matt. 2:13-16)

C. Jesus tempted by Satan (Matt. 4:1-11)

D. Jesus casts out demons (Mark 5:1-13)

E. The apostles and demons (Luke 10:20)

F. The "gates of hell shall not prevail" against the church (Matt. 16:18)

G. To Peter: "get thee behind me, Satan" (Matt. 16:23)

H. Satan enters Judas (Luke 22:3)

I. Satan judged at the cross (John 12:31; 16:11; Gen. 3:15; Col. 2:15; I John 3:8)

 

VII. SOME OF SATAN'S ACTIVITY IN THE CHURCH AGE:

A. The descent of the Holy Spirit (Pentecost) empowers the church in Satan's world. (Acts 2)

B. The early church persecuted (Acts 4,5,6,7,8)

C. Satan filled hearts of Ananias and Sapphire (Acts 5:3)

D. The authority of the apostles over demons (Acts 5:16)

E. Satan hinders Paul (I Thess. 2:18)

F. Continued persecution (Rev. 2:10)

G. Satan's seat at Rome - church and state (Rev. 2:13)

H. The "dark ages" - ruled by Satan (Rev. 2:18-24)

I. Seducing spirits and doctrines (I Tim. 4:1; II Cor. 11:13-15)

J. Great apostasy of the last days (II Tim. 3:1-9; 4:3,4; Rev. 3:15)

VII. THE FINAL DAYS OF SATAN'S CAREER:

A. War in heaven (Rev. 12:7-12; Matt. 24:21)

B. The Tribulation Trinity (Rev. 16:13-16)

[1]. Satan cast out of heaven (Rev. 12:7-12)
[2]. The antichrist (II Thess. 2:9; Rev. 13:1-10; 19:20)
[3]. The false prophet (I Thess. 1:12; Rev. 13:11-18; 19:20)

C. The Pit opened (Rev. 9:11)

D. The Second coming of Christ (Matt. 24; Rev. 19:11-21)

[1]. The battle of Armageddon (Rev. 16:14; 19:17-19; II Thess. 2:8)
[2]. Antichrist and false prophet to Lake (Rev. 19:20)
[3]. Satan imprisoned (Rev. 20:1-3) for one thousand years

E. Judgment

[1]. Satan, fallen angels (in Hell), demon host are brought to the Great White Throne Judgment (Rev. 20:7-15), cast into the Lake of Fire.
[2]. The end of the serpent's trail (Gen. 3:15)